You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
y Deplorable Knitter<br />
YEA OR NAY... KNITTING RESOLUTIONS?<br />
It’s that time of year again. Everyone is talking<br />
about all the things they are going to do in the New<br />
Year. Do you make resolutions?<br />
Personally, I hate them. The minute I make a resolution<br />
I want to do the opposite. It’s like when I say<br />
I’m going to go on a diet, and then immediately all I<br />
can think about is chocolate cake.<br />
I know that some people do well with very strict<br />
parameters, but I find them oppressive. At the beginning<br />
of each year, I like to set goals. Usually, the are<br />
things like, “be more active,” “eat a salad for lunch 5<br />
times a week,” goals that will help me in my life. But if<br />
I miss a day of salad, or can’t fit in a walk, I won’t beat<br />
myself up.<br />
So, it goes without saying that I approach my knitting<br />
in much the same way. I like to have some goals<br />
for my knitting in the new year, but they are not hard<br />
and fast rules. If they were, I would miss the mark and<br />
feel like a failure.<br />
Here are some of my goals, in no particular order:<br />
1. Knit more for charity. I love knitting, especially<br />
hats. We have more than we can wear in our house,<br />
so, I’m lucky that there are several charities that love<br />
to receive hats.<br />
a. Hats for sailors - http://www.hatsforsailors.com<br />
They send hand knit and crocheted hats to Sailors<br />
in the US Navy. My stepdad was in the Navy, and I<br />
love being able to support them.<br />
b. Let them Live - https://letthemlive.org<br />
This organization supports mothers who are considering<br />
abortion. They help them through all phases<br />
of pregnancy and then support them after. They are<br />
always in need of baby items and items for older kids<br />
as well. Our pal Amy, from Two Sisters and Some<br />
Yarn, heads up this part of the mission. She’s always<br />
happy to help if you have questions.<br />
c. St. Jude - https://www.stjude.org<br />
In March, they have a knitting fundraiser. You knit<br />
and get people to donate. I participated last year,<br />
and plan to continue. Every one of my donors was<br />
entered to win a project I finished in the month of<br />
March. It was fun and helped keep me motivated.<br />
2. Learn a new skill.<br />
There are a lot of things that I haven’t even<br />
thought about trying yet. I haven’t decided what my<br />
new skill will be for this year, but I am going to try to<br />
step outside of my comfort zone. Since I’m teaching<br />
a class on sock knitting it may have something to do<br />
with that… still to be determined.<br />
3. Be more intentional with my stash.<br />
One thing I hate more than anything is the whole<br />
movement to not buy new yarn and patterns. Obviously,<br />
if you don’t have the money, please don’t go<br />
into debt buying things. But your support means a<br />
lot to small businesses. By no means do I think we<br />
should just run around buying all the yarn every time<br />
a dyer drops a new colorway. Be intentional. If there<br />
is a color that speaks to you and you are able, support<br />
the business.<br />
I’m also planning to be more intentional with the<br />
yarns I already have. I am a classic ADHD personality.<br />
I’m enamored with something until I get distracted<br />
by a newer, shinier thing. So, this year I’m planning to<br />
shop my stash and make some patterns I’ve been<br />
meaning to design (tin foil hat pattern, anyone?)<br />
I’m sure I won’t follow through with all these<br />
things, but if I don’t, there is always next year.<br />
Happy New Year,<br />
and Happy Knitting!!<br />
13
Change language